Racquet

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a racquet that is provided for use in games in which it is used for striking a ball that has a tail, the tail being in the form of a plurality of elongate streamer elements that are anchored to the ball. Such a ball generally has a mass less than 30 g and thus requires the racquet to have a mass less than 200 g. In order to avoid tangling of the tail of the ball with the racquet after the ball has been struck with the racquet, the frame of the racquet is provided with anti-tangle formations that effectively space the exposed part of the strings of the racquet from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame by between 20 and 30 mm.

THIS INVENTION relates to a racquet.

The invention relates particularly to a racquet that is suitable for use in games in which the racquet is used for striking a ball that has a tail, in the form of a plurality of elongate streamer elements, anchored thereto and extending therefrom and where the ball has a mass less than 30 grams. Such a ball is referred to hereinafter as a streamer ball.

A racquet as herein envisaged and which is suitable for striking a streamer ball having a mass less than 30 g, must itself have a mass less than 200 g. Conventionally such a racquet comprises a frame that defines a head part that carries the racquet strings of the racquet, and a shaft, that extends from the head part and that defines a handle grip at the end of the shaft remote from the head part. The head part of the frame conventionally defines holes therethrough that lie in a plane defined by the head part mid-way between the opposite sides of the head part, the holes serving to accommodate the strings of the racquet for carrying the strings in a tensioned, lattice configuration. A racquet of the type and, particularly, the frame thereof, conventionally is manufactured of a light weight metal material, a fiber reinforced material, or the like, and in order to achieve the requirement that the racquet must have a mass less than 200 g, the maximum cross-sectional dimension associated with the head part of the frame generally is in the order of 10 mm. The distance between the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame and the opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball, thus is a maximum of 10 mm. Insofar as the configuration of a racquet of the above type is well known, this is not described or explained further herein.

It has been found that when a streamer ball, having a mass less than 30 g, is struck with a racquet of the above type, because of the relatively high racquet speeds that are generated, due to the low mass of the racquet, even if the ball has an elongate stem element separating the streamer elements thereof from the ball, the streamer elements, upon the ball changing direction when struck, can get entangled with the head part of the frame and, particularly, the strings of the racquet. As a result, the motion of the ball is impeded and its regular flight path towards an opposing player is interfered with, which can detrimentally affect playing of a game. The entanglement as envisaged also can result in excessive wear of the tail of the ball, thus limiting the useful life of the ball.

It is thus an object of this invention to at least alleviate the above problems associated with the playing of games that involve streamer balls, having a mass less than 30 g, being struck with racquets of the type envisaged.

According to the invention there is provided a racquet for striking a ball that has a tail, in the form of streamer elements, anchored thereto and extending therefrom and where the ball has a mass less than 30 g, which includes

-   -   a frame including a head part and a shaft extending from the         head part; and     -   racquet strings carried in a tensioned lattice configuration by         the head part of the frame,     -   and in which the racquet has an overall mass less than 200 g and         the closest distance between the outer peripheral edge of the         racquet around the head part of the frame and the edge of the         respective opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for         striking a ball is at least 15 mm.

The closest distance between the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame and the edge of the respective opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball preferably is between 20 mm and 30 mm, although this distance may be even greater.

One embodiment of the racquet of the invention provides for the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame to be defined by the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame. For this embodiment racquet, the racquet may include two anti-tangle formations, that extend operatively inwardly with respect to the head part of the frame covering outer segments of the respective opposite faces of the strings adjacent the head part of the frame, for spacing the edge of the respective opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball away from the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame.

The anti-tangle formations envisaged may define holes therethrough, thus to permit the passage of air through the anti-tangle formations and thereby minimizing any drag effect that the anti-tangle formations may have on the racquet. The operative outer faces of the anti-tangle formations may be substantially parallel to one another, although it is envisaged also that these faces of the anti-tangle formations may be slanted towards the strings of the racquet from their location nearest the frame of the racquet.

The anti-tangle formations of the above embodiment of the racquet of the invention may include two separate formations that are each formed of at least one part and that are carried by the strings of the racquet. Each such anti-tangle formation may be a substantially planar body located within the head part of the frame on a side of the strings, the two anti-tangle formations thus being secured together by securing means via spaces defined by these strings, to thereby be carried by the strings. The anti-tangle formations may be so secured together by means of an adhesive, or any other suitable mechanical securing means.

Each anti-tangle formation as above envisaged may form an effective extension of the side of the head part of the frame from which it extends, although it is envisaged also that each anti-tangle formation may be spaced from the head part of the frame.

The anti-tangle formations typically are formed of a light weight synthetic plastics material, preferably a light weight foam material.

Instead of anti-tangle formations as envisaged being carried by the strings of their associated racquet, anti-tangle formations also may be carried by the head part of the frame of the racquet. As such, the anti-tangle formations may form part of a single integrated body that defines a U-shaped profile in cross-section and that fits over and around the head part of the frame, the opposite walls of the body defining the legs of the U-shaped cross-sectional profile forming the anti-tangle formations. Once again, anti-tangle formations that are carried by the head part of the frame of their associated racquet may be of a light weight synthetic plastics material, typically a light weight foam material.

According to another embodiment of a racquet having anti-tangle formations, the anti-tangle formations may be formed as an integral part of the head part of the frame of the racquet.

For a further embodiment of the racquet of the invention in which the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame is defined by the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame, the head part of the frame may define string engagement formations whereby the strings engage the head part of the frame, the string engagement formations being spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame so that the faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball are spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame by at least 15 mm. For such a racquet, the frame may have a substantially planar formation projecting radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame and the string engagement formations that are engaged by the strings of the racquet may be defined by the planar formation adjacent a peripheral inner edge of the planar formation.

For still a further embodiment of the racquet of the invention for which the outer peripheral edge of the racquet is defined by the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame, the operative width of the frame of the racquet may be such that the opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball is spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame by at least 15 mm. This spacing thus is provided by the frame of the racquet as such.

A further embodiment racquet, in accordance with the invention, includes an outer edge formation which surrounds and extends outwardly with respect to the head part of the frame of the racquet and the outer peripheral edge of which forms the outer peripheral edge of the racquet. This outer edge formation may be a formation integrally formed with the head part of the frame of the racquet or, alternatively, may be a separate formation engaged with the head part of the frame of the racquet.

The above and further features of the racquet of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional end view of a part of the racquet of FIG. 1, along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional end view of a part of a second embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional end view of a part of a third embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of the racquet of FIG. 1, in conjunction with a streamer ball;

FIG. 6 illustrates the entangling of the tail of a streamer ball, with the frame of a conventional racquet, after the ball has been struck with the racquet;

FIG. 7 illustrates avoidance of the entanglement as shown in FIG. 4, when the ball is struck with the racquet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a front view of a fourth embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional end view of a part of the racquet of FIG. 8, along line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a fifth embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a sixth embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a first embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The racquet 10 includes a frame 12 which includes a head part 14 and a shaft 16, the shaft 16 extending from the head part 14 and having a handle grip 18 formed at the end thereof remote from the head part 14.

The frame 12 of the racquet 10 is formed of a light weight material, typically a material already commonly used for a racquet of the type herein envisaged, thus permitting the racquet to have an overall mass less than 200 g. The frame further defines a conventional configuration, i.e. a configuration already associated with racquets of the type. As such, the head part 14 of the frame 12 has holes formed therein that accommodate the strings 20 of the racquet 10 in a configuration in which the strings are held in a tensioned, lattice configuration as shown. Having a mass less than 200 g, the racquet is particularly suitable for use in tennis-type games with a streamer ball having a mass less than 30 g.

The racquet 10 includes also two anti-tangle formations 22 that are located on opposite sides of the strings 20 and that define outer faces 24 that respectively form operatively inward, effective extensions of the opposite sides of the head part 14 of the frame 12, around the periphery of the head part.

In the particular configuration shown, the anti-tangle formations 22 comprise annular, substantially planar, ring-like formations of which the faces 24 are substantially flat, the formations typically being formed of an EVA foam by an injection moulding process, although they can also be formed of any other suitable light weight synthetic plastics or other material. The anti-tangle formations 22 are secured in their location as shown by being secured to one another, typically by an adhesive, by complementary engagement formations defined thereby and/or by rivet-like formations, via the spaces defined between the strings 20 of the racquet 10 (not shown). It must be understood that the exact configuration of the anti-tangle formations in this regard, as well as the mode in which they are located on the racquet 10, are greatly variable.

The anti-tangle formations 22 may extend directly from the head part 14 of the frame 12 of the racquet 10, or may be spaced up to approximately 10 mm therefrom, the effective width of the anti-tangle formations typically being such that the faces 24 extend inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame by a distance of approximately 25 mm, although this is variable, typically from 15 mm to approximately 75 mm. Although not shown, the anti-tangle formations 22 can also be provided in segments, e.g. quarter segments, that may facilitate their location with respect to the head part 14 of the frame 12 of the racquet 10. Still further, the anti-tangle formations 22 optionally define holes 29 therethrough, the holes 29 permitting air flow therethrough during displacement of the racquet when striking a ball, thus reducing any drag effect that the anti-tangle formations may have on the racquet. The anti-tangle formations as described and as is generally envisaged clearly serve to space the outer peripheral edge of the racquet, as defined by the head part of the frame, from the opposite faces of the strings that remain exposed for striking a ball by a distance that is determined by the width of the anti-tangle formations, as is clearly apparent. The explanation and effect thereof are set out hereafter.

Although the anti-tangle formations as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each comprise separately formed bodies, it is envisaged also that the anti-tangle formations can be provided as an integrally formed body 26 (see FIG. 3) that defines a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile which permits the body to fit over and around the head part of the frame of a racquet to thereby define faces equivalent to the faces 24 of the anti-tangle formations 22 as above described. It is still further envisaged that the anti-tangle formations may be formed as an integral part of the frame 28 of a racquet (see FIG. 4), the configurations as above envisaged not being illustrated or described in more detail herein, insofar as these are apparent from the description above of the racquet 10 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

However, it must be noted in relation to the integrally formed body 26 as shown in FIG. 3 that the outer faces defined by the anti-tangle formations are slanted towards the strings of the racquet. Clearly, this feature may be associated with any of the embodiments of the racquet of the invention, as may be the provision of holes 29 (see FIG. 1) in the anti-tangle formations of the different embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a player 30 having a racquet 10 and using the racquet 10 for striking a streamer ball 32, the streamer ball 32 including a relatively light weight ball 34 that has a tail 36 formed of elongate streamer elements, the tail 36 being secured to the ball 34 via an elongate stem formation 38 as shown. The ball particularly has a mass less than 30 g.

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, when striking a streamer ball having a mass less than 30 g with a conventional racquet having a mass less than 200 g (the head part of the frame of a conventional racquet being shown in cross section), the estimated paths followed by the racquet and by the streamer ball, particularly by the ball 34 thereof and by the tail 36 thereof, are illustrated, particularly at various stages during and after impact of the ball 34 with the racquet 50. The stage 52 illustrates the ball 34 moving away from the racquet 50 while the tail 36 still continues in its original direction of travel before having been struck, this continued displacement of the tail 36, at the stage 54, resulting in the free end of the tail folding around the frame of the racquet 50, thus becoming entangled with the frame and the strings of the racquet. As a result and at the stage 56, this entanglement results in the flight path of the ball 34 becoming irregular and the flight path possibly deviating from the intended flight path. At the stage 58, when the free end of the tail 36 has released from the frame of the racquet 50, the flight path again becomes more regular, finally resulting, at the stage 60, in the ball 34 and tail 36 again adopting a regular flight path, although the flight path may have deviated from the originally intended flight path (as shown). Clearly, with the flight path of the streamer ball being affected as described, playing of a game can be detrimentally affected, while the entanglement of the tail of the streamer ball with the frame and strings of the racquet also can result in excessive wear on the tail, thus limiting the effective life of the streamer ball.

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, with a streamer ball 32, including a ball 34, a stem 38 and a tail 36, being struck with a racquet 10, in accordance with the invention, the initial flight path upon and after being struck with the racquet, will remain the same as before, substantially up to the equivalent of the stage 54 (see FIG. 6), which is illustrated in relation to the racquet 10 by the numeral 61. As is clearly apparent, the anti-tangle formation 22 on one side of the racquet 10 will then serve to prevent entanglement of the free end of the tail 36 with the frame and strings of the racquet, permitting free release of the tail 36 at the stage 62, thus ensuring that the flight path of the streamer ball 32 is not unduly interfered with and does not unduly deviate from the intended flight path, while also ensuring that the free end of the tail 36 is not unduly exposed to wear thereon.

Various further embodiments of racquets that incorporate the principles of the invention as herein defined also are envisaged. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings, a further embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 70. The head part 71 of the frame of the racquet 70 includes a tubular outer frame part 72 that has an operatively inwardly extending flange part 74 extending therefrom, the flange part defining a series of holes 76 therein near the inner peripheral edge thereof, which provide for the location of the strings 78 of the racquet in a conventional tensioned, lattice configuration (not illustrated in detail). The flange part 74 of the frame clearly serves in this case to effectively space the strings 78 from the outer peripheral edge 80 of the frame, thus providing for the required “anti-tangle” qualities of the racquet, as herein envisaged. It will be understood that many different configurations of head parts of frames of racquets equivalent to the racquet 70 also can be envisaged.

Referring to FIG. 10 of the drawings, there is shown, in cross-sectional view, a part of a head part of a frame of still a further embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention, this part of the frame being designated generally by the numeral 90. As is clearly apparent from this drawing, the frame forming the head part defines an oblong tubular configuration in cross section, the frame, for the remainder, being essentially conventional and providing for conventional stringing of the racquet. In this case the spacing between the outer peripheral edge 92 and the inner peripheral edge 94 of the frame is such that the associated racquet is provided with the required “anti-tangle” qualities.

FIG. 11 shows in cross-sectional view a part of the head part of a frame of still a further embodiment of a racquet, in accordance with the invention, this part of the head part of the frame being designated generally by the reference numeral 100. This head part is defined by a conventional tubular frame part 102 which carries the strings 104 of the racquet, the frame part 102 having a radially outwardly extending edge formation 106 engaged therewith and projecting radially outwardly therefrom around the periphery thereof. The edge formation thus forms the effective outer peripheral edge 108 for the racquet that provides for the required spacing from the strings 104 and, as such, to provide the associated racquet with required “anti-tangle” qualities.

It is submitted that playing of a game with a streamer ball having a mass less than 30 g and a racquet, in accordance with the invention and as described, will greatly enhance the enjoyment of the game, insofar as the streamer ball will tend to follow a more regular flight path, which will make it easier for players to strike the ball. In addition, the effective life of the streamer ball also will be significantly extended when used in conjunction with a racquet as described. 

1. A racquet for striking a ball that has a tail, in the form of a plurality of streamer elements, anchored thereto and extending therefrom and where the ball has a mass less than 30 g, which includes a frame including a head part and a shaft extending from the head part; and racquet strings carried in a tensioned lattice configuration by the head part of the frame, and in which the racquet has an overall mass less than 200 g and the closest distance between the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame and the edge of the respective opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball is at least 15 mm.
 2. A racquet as claimed in claim 1, in which the closest distance between the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame and the edge of the respective opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball is between 20 mm and 30 mm.
 3. A racquet as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame is defined by the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame.
 4. A racquet as claimed in claim 1, which includes two anti-tangle formations, that extend operatively inwardly with respect to the head part of the frame covering outer segments of the respective opposite faces of the strings adjacent the head part of the frame, for spacing the edge of the respective opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball away from the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame.
 5. A racquet as claimed in claim 4, in which the anti-tangle formations define holes therethrough.
 6. A racquet as claimed in claim 4, in which the operative outer faces of the anti-tangle formations are substantially parallel to one another.
 7. A racquet as claimed in claim 4, in which the operative outer faces of the anti-tangle formations are slanted towards the strings of the racquet from their location nearest the frame of the racquet.
 8. A racquet as claimed in claim 4, in which the anti-tangle formations are two separate formations that are each formed of at least one part and that are carried by the strings of the racquet.
 9. A racquet as claimed in claim 8, in which each anti-tangle formation is a substantially planar body located within the head part of the frame on the side of the strings, the two anti-tangle formations being secured together by securing means via spaces defined by the strings, to thereby be carried by the strings.
 10. A racquet as claimed in claim 9, in which each anti-tangle formation forms an effective extension of the side of the head part of the frame from which it extends.
 11. A racquet as claimed in claim 9, in which each anti-tangle formation is spaced from the head part of the frame.
 12. A racquet as claimed in claim 8, in which the anti-tangle formations are of a light weight synthetic plastics material.
 13. A racquet as claimed in claim 8, in which the anti-tangle formations are of a light weight foam material.
 14. A racquet as claimed in claim 4, in which the anti-tangle formations are carried by the head part of the frame.
 15. A racquet as claimed in claim 14, in which the anti-tangle formations form part of a single integrated body that defines a U-shaped profile in cross-section and that fits over and around the head part of the frame, the opposite walls of the body defining the legs of the U-shaped cross-sectional profile forming the anti-tangle formations.
 16. A racquet as claimed in claim 14, in which the anti-tangle formations are of a light weight synthetic plastics material.
 17. A racquet as claimed in claim 14, in which the anti-tangle formations are of a light weight foam material.
 18. A racquet as claimed in claim 4, in which the anti-tangle formations are formed as an integral part of the head part of the frame of the racquet.
 19. A racquet as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer peripheral edge of the racquet around the head part of the frame is defined by the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame and the head part of the frame defines string engagement formations whereby the strings engage the head part of the frame, the string engagement formations being spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame so that the faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball are spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame by at least 15 mm.
 20. A racquet as claimed in claim 19, in which the frame has a substantially planar formation protecting radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame and the string engagement formations that are engaged by the strings of the racquet are defined by the planar formation adjacent a peripheral inner edge of the planar formation.
 21. A racquet as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer peripheral edge of the racquet is defined by the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame and in which the operative width of the frame is such that the opposite faces of the strings that are exposed for striking a ball is spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the head part of the frame by at least 15 mm.
 22. A racquet as claimed in claim 1, which includes an outer edge formation which surrounds and extends outwardly with respect to the head part of the frame of the racquet and the outer peripheral edge of which forms the outer peripheral edge of the racquet.
 23. A racquet as claimed in claim 22, in which the outer edge formation is a formation integrally formed with the head part of the frame of the racquet.
 24. A racquet as claimed in claim 22, in which the outer edge formation is a separate formation engaged with the head part of the frame of the racquet. 